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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tumor cells living in the cross hairs of radiation or chemotherapy may be able to escape death because their self-destruct mechanisms are jammed, say University of Florida scientists writing in a recent issue of Developmental Cell.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Young African-American and Latina girls treat their mothers with greater deference than do whites but their mothers take it harder when tempers flare, according to a new University of Florida study.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Having an MRI exam, an experience many people describe as stressful and uncomfortable, could soon become a bit more pleasant, thanks to the work of a team of University of Florida engineering students.

The old saying suggests sticks and stones do more damage than words. But now a University of Florida study links taunting or name-calling in childhood with symptoms of depression and anxiety in early adulthood.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Spreading rumors and gossiping may not cause bruises or black eyes, but the psychological consequences of this social type of bullying could linger into early adulthood, a new University of Florida study shows.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Most of us have missed a dose of antibiotic or forgotten to take a daily vitamin. But when the stakes are higher — as they are for people with HIV/AIDS — a skipped pill could mean the difference between health and hazard for the entire population. Now, a breath monitoring device developed by scientists at the University of Florida and Xhale Inc. could help prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV by monitoring medication adherence in high-risk individuals.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Years of hydrilla control efforts have paid off for some Florida communities — unfortunately, their success has benefited a more troublesome aquatic weed, a University of Florida expert says.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — New therapies must target a key protein interaction to destroy aggressive cancer cells’ protective force field, University of Florida scientists reported this week at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting in San Diego.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers have identified a gene variation in heart disease patients who appear especially vulnerable to the physical effects of mental stress — to the point where blood flow to the heart is greatly reduced.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — On the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the technology he lamented had overshadowed the human spirit was used to power four interactive global webcasts that transcend race, class, nation and religion.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Conservationists often promote pristine wilderness as a warehouse of biological diversity, but new research findings by a anthropologist show higher biological diversity actually exists in areas where there is more human cultural diversity.

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—The arts provide entertainment and enlightenment, allow us to share and celebrate our cultural heritages, and provide a connection to one another. They can also provide hope, as demonstrated by “Spirit of Uganda,” a riveting program of music and dance for audiences of all ages that brings to life the sounds and movements of East Africa.

GAINESVILLE, FLa. — UF alumnus and Japan Gator Club member Sachio Semmoto recently was featured in two international magazines. Semmoto — who earned a master’s and doctorate degree in engineering at the University of Florida — was profiled in the Feb. 7 issue of “The Economist” and the March 24 issue of “Forbes.”

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Academic & Professional Assembly (APA) is accepting nominations for the 2008-09 slate of officers. Nominate yourself or others (with their approval) by emailing past president Diane Craig, ddcraig@ufl.edu, by April 11.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Could the simple sugar responsible for putting the sweet in everything from bananas to root beer be the missing link in understanding what puts the fat on a person’s thighs? Yes, according to a book penned by a University of Florida researcher that was published today.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Approximately 335,000 Americans annually die of cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest before reaching a hospital. Cardiac arrest strikes people of all ages and levels of fitness, usually without warning. Many of these lives could be saved by training community members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR buys precious time for cardiac arrest victims until trained emergency workers can arrive.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The UF Leadership Development Institute will present “Developing the Next Generation of Global Academic Leaders” at 3 p.m. on April 9 at Reitz Union, Room 282. Ron Kirsch, executive director, and Susan Herrera, assistant director of the Institute, will present a model for developing the next generation of global leaders. Seating is limited. Please email Glenn Ketcham, gketcham@ehs.ufl.edu, to reserve a seat.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Itzhak Perlman concert, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 13 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, has been postponed. An ongoing shoulder injury is precluding Perlman from performing. A new date has not yet been set.
Tickets for the April 13 date will be honored for the new date. Patrons who are unable to attend the performance on the new date may receive a full refund from the original point of purchase.
For more information, please visit the University of Florida Performing Arts Web site at www.performingarts.ufl.edu. For information about tickets, please call 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS, toll-free within Florida.

Chris McCarty, director of the Survey Research Center, was quoted in an April 30 Miami Herald story about the impact of another drop in consumer confidence among Floridians. The story was the result of a news release.

The UF Department of Housing and Residence Education Graduate and Family Housing staff are presenting “Mosaic,” a musical about family, diversity, friendship and acceptance at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 the Reitz Student Union Auditorium.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Linda Bartoshuk, a professor of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, was recently elected to a three-year term of the Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The NAS is charged with providing independent advice, outside the framework of government, to the nation’s leaders on science, technology and medicine issues affecting U.S. policy decisions.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ken Sassaman, associate professor of anthropology, has been awarded the Mooney Award from the Southern Anthropological Society for his book “People of the Shoals: Stallings Culture of the Savannah River Valley.” The annual James Mooney Award recognizes distinguished anthropological scholarship concerning the South and Southerners.

A purchasing talk by Randy Staples, associate controller, Purchasing and Disbursement Services will be sponsored by the APA Seminar Series. The presentation, “Purchasing: What you need to know about the Year-end Process,” will be held at 3 p.m. on May 22 in L107, Marston Science Library. This will be an informative and interactive session to learn more about year-end issues involving purchasing and disbursement services. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion. Seating is limited. Please email Glenn Ketcham at gketcham@ehs.ufl.edu to reserve a seat.

Celebrate reading by sharing a story, poem or excerpt from a favorite book during the George A. Smathers Libraries’ Read-A-Thon. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 14-17 at the Plaza of the Americas between Library West and Smathers Library East.
The Read-A-Thon is a lively, fast-paced and casual celebration of reading during National Library Week. Volunteers will read for 10 minutes, in accordance with specific daily themes.
The second annual “Edible Book Contest” on April 16 will coincide with the Read-A-Thon. Anyone may enter an “edible book” to be judged and later eaten. Prizes will be given in various categories.
For more information, and/or to sign up for the Read-A-Thon and the Edible Book Contest, visit http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/readathon.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In response to the sudden upsurge of fascism and Nazism during the events preceding World War II, Eugène Ionesco wrote the now-famous play, “Rhinoceros.” Categorized as “theatre of the absurd,” the play explores the themes of conformity, culture, philosophy and morality as it follows the lives of residents of a small French town. “Rhinoceros” will run April 4 to April 13 at the Constans Theatre.

One of the most inspiring stories I have heard in a long time relates to the priceless value of education and how this can affect alumni, and the loyalty they feel for their alma mater and others whose lives they touch.